had a bad game, no doubt. But come on dude. This Blazer team, a lot like last years team, is all about outside shooting. They are better this year, and get more offensive boards, but they still rely on 3pt shooting to win. Until they can get easier inside hoops, and some fast break points, they will lose against the best teams. The Blazers lost as a TEAM, not becuase one of our bench players was terrible.

but because of the way I thought we would lose. I swear the blazers are gonna give me an ulcer one day and although I’ve watched every game up to this point this season, I just couldn’t do it tonight. Not with KG and co on the tv. So instead, I just read through some of the comments in the game thread and from what I gathered…pretty much what I expected. Refs allowed a lot of “defense,” KG shoved Broy with some “defense” ALL of our forwards were afraid of the “defense.”

I am a little surprised to hear about some of the coaching errors however and looking at the boxscore it appears Rudy had a terrible night (not that anyone had a GOOD night). So I guess thats a wrinkle. Bottom line is, the blazers can’t let a loss like this screw up their mindset. I think a game like this CAN be good. For instance, you’ve clearly pinpointed some weaknesses on the team that otherwise was going undetected or at least underreported. Channing seems to stick out. Lack of transition game/defense. Oden shrinking in every major test this year so far (c’mon big fella I know you’re gonna get better but please show me something spectacular). Don’t know how you instill “fire” but I would think the coaches have something to do with it.

Can someone make sure that the blazers don’t embarrass themselves every time they play Boston please? I’m debating whether or not I’ll watch the one in Portland.

I can’t stand watching Frye play. It’s been that way for a while…….he’s softer than soft and lately, even during our wins, which help mask the problem, he’s been jacking up shots and playing selfish basketball. He looks like he’s playing for a contract, which he is.

We truly needed to foul somebody HARD tonight and it never happened. Nate had to have been telling the troops this, but nobody, even Pryz, who I thought would do it, got the message. It was infuriating watching them get easy layups while we had to work hard for every shot, getting fouled hard the entire time.

It was a repeat of the game last season, in Boston……exactly what I didn’t want to see.

and he was talking about how he couldn’t understand how Blake was getting trashed in message boards and how fans were calling for trades despite the great record the blazers have built. Well, I don’t know how fanatics can have better foresight than a beat writer but anyone can see that a few of our players work fine against bad teams, but are absolute weaknesses when we’re going up against top level competition. This team isn’t built to be good, its supposed to be built to win championships.

The difference between our guards and their guards (minus broy) is the ability to finish at the rim. The difference between our forwards and their forwards is toughness, rebounding and defense. Our guys will do fine against the wizards and twolves of the league but we will not win a championship as currently built.

we need another player besides roy that can take it to the hoop and finish! Travis can’t. Rudy Can’t. Blake can’t. ect. I believe Bayless will be the answerer to that but I don’t know if he is ready. I was for no trades but if we could get someone that could take it to the rim and actually finish I would give up Trout. I think the future will be Bayless with Sergio bringing a change of pace of the bench. sorry blake but we have plenty of 3 pt shooters.

Was when the reserves were mounting the mini comeback, I didn’t see the starters bouncing off the bench cheering on there teammates.

I really needed to vent and now feel much better.

Here’s a little gem I snipped…..

Asked about the Blazers forcing him to put his starters back in late in the fourth, Rivers said, “We forced us to put our starters back in. … We had a lot to do with it.”

Stay classy Rivers. I never liked that guy.

Okay, hate Channing, hate Sergio… whatever. These are bench players, easily replaced, and probably not long for the team.

But I was freakin’ screaming at LMA tonight to do something useful. Anything! LMA looked soft, he was getting murdered on the boards over and over again. First he was taking fadeaways; then he wouldn’t take shots; then he wouldn’t even hold the ball. He was so lazy on transition. Good grief… he’s supposed to be one of our “big three”… and he was completely awful. And he hasn’t had a spectacular season to begin with.

So, there’s not really an option here. Hate some Blake, bring in Sergio. Hate some Sergio, you can always call for Bayless. Want small forwad? Take your pick! You can have Batum or Outlaw or Rudy or just chill and wait for Outlaw.

But Jiminy Christmas and the Enshrined Blessed Goosefeathers of the Pillow of the Virgin Mary, what happens if LMA actually sucks? We start Frye? Diogu?

So much depends upon LMA actually being good. And he’s not! At least he hasn’t been yet. And tonight he was awful Just awful.

So I’m venting because I’m so mad!!!

I just wanted someone on the team to get angry about this. Someone. Anyone. Lay a foul down. Do something. Anything! Show me you care!!!

Felt like I was watching the team from 3yrs ago all over again.

Is anyone else out there just even a tiny bit peeved at LMA?

Hope we can ruin his home debut, too ;-)
I suppose Nate is making them fire for that game.

let’s blame nate a little for not using his weapons properly tonight:

 -on oden’s T dunk, he should have stayed in the game! let the big fella play! is Pryz chopped liver!?

-brandon lost his poise- a rare occasion, but he’s allowed to sometimes, Pierce should have gotten a taunting foul for all his poop-talking at the foul line. nate should have rested brandon earlier instead of forcing him in right after he recovered from that little injury, save him for the 4th!

-nate should have realized earlier in the game that our PGs were no match for Rondo, and should have experimented with putting Bayless in in the 2nd quarter, earlier though.

-lamarcus!?!?!?

-channing should have been taken out after nate knew KG was coming back in – we we down 11 with 5 minutes, put in a fresh unit of diagu, joel, outlaw, batum, and bayless. no shooting guard because the guards couldn’t shoot tonight anyway.

coulda shoulda woulda

he nailed a 3 and was playing great help defense on Ray Allen. Blazers up 17-12 then Travis comes in and Blazers are out scored 12-4 and Ray has 6 points. Coincidence?

KG was on the ground barking like a dog to Rex, and he went right at him and scored….we need that physical, fearless attitude on the floor against teams like the C’s

than the one given to Glen Davis? I mean, Big Baby indeed.

Did anyone else see him throwing a hissy fit at the end of the bench?

He got called out by the leader in front of everyone… and so he cried. On national television. And totally acted like a whiny brat. What a loser!

BIG OL’ BABY!!!

as the leader of this team, this loss is on his shoulders. He did not play his best tonight and deserves some blame too

I loved what I saw from him tonight. That is how you earn more minutes, don’t complain and make the most of every opportunity you get. His ability to get to the rim at will of the dribble is second only to Roy’s, and he doesn’t back down from a challenge (e.g. Garnett trying to punk him and Bayless responding by going right back down the lane and earning free throws). Plus, I think his lateral quickness will eventually translate into someone who can lockdown quick PGs on D, which coupled with Batum’s ability to play the SM/SG types, will allow Roy and Rudy to focus their energy on the offensive end/darting into passing lanes when paired with one or both of the stoppers. Most encouraging element of tonight’s game by far.

What do think is going to happen? but I liked what I saw in Bayless and I think Batum right now is a better player than Outlaw or Frye will ever be

SF (stupid fingers)

Turn Sergio into Brandon Bass, play Rex as the backup 2, and this team is SET.

Go to bed yung’uns. And try to erase KG from memory as you sleep…..

About the boston game. I’d rather lose the way we did than having a close game with Boston with them playing badly.
Growing pains are supposed to hurt.

but how good is the Jazz offense? I mean seriuosly. I’m so jealous of their system – constant ball movement and cutters flashing from the weak-side into the lane. I was in awe last night watching them just dismantle the Raptors. Easy buckets? The Jazz get easy buckets by the bushel. They might very well have the best offense in the league. I think it says so much about their system that they can just plug in guys and win games without Boozer, Williams, Okur, and AK47, who have all missed signifcant time this year already. Granted, we just played against one of the best defenses in NBA history – really – but the contrast was so stark . . . the Blazer’s have a ways to go still. Easy buckets. Easy buckets.

all venting no Junk…so I bring you this

Monkeys attack Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZNwSC_6H90&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F3tptzEWmM

Did that ballerina move by Channing convince you he SUCKS? Because I have known that since last year. I want him and Travis OUT. Rudy did some stupid complaining too. Oh and Nate decided this game was a good 1 to try the “rudy and Travis playing together” rotation… it doesnt work just like that last time Nate…duh… Blake plays horrid defense. BROY was trying to dislocate his shoulder in the 2nd qt. LMA just floated around the perim like a pretty fairy and never established any offensive flow. He let Garnett blow past him like 800 times in transition too. Batum , where are you? 1 three and I missed it. Probably played ok Defense but whatev. He wasn’t scared of Garnett b/c he cant understand him.

Ahhh I feel so much better.

Bayless is good but Im not ready to say he get’s consistent minutes.

Sophia

Was anyone else really impressed by the way he played? He came in and tried to get the emotions back on the Blazers’ side. He was taking it to the basket, and trying to score.

The time he got called for traveling, he was looking to throw down a monster dunk. You could tell he wanted to be a leader and get the team going again. Those are important things, and it’s impressive that he looks to do that off the bench.

should be quiet flight…..good thing it is short…

team is reflective but collective psyche is intact…

they will be sprinting back on D….or watching… :-)

If all we get out of this loss is:
1. play Bayless
2. add Ike
3. add enthusiasm and fun = better outcome but still a loss.
Our team never believed that they could
win that one. Definitely not prepared for that test. Grade = D-
Next time will be equally scary as this Boston team has our number.
Go Blazers!

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2008/12/4/680246/devil-s-advocate

And we are heading out to my work’s “Holiday” party.

sooo…….Happy Hanna-Quanza-mas to you all….and to all a goodnight!!

"did you see that movie last nig… OH we’re still playing … DUH! "